Pioneer Children

Family Photo

Pinatas for the Crafty

The best part about making a pinata is making it of course!! Grace and Anne liked helping (they even got messy which is becoming a big taboo at our house lately). We enjoyed the week preparing and anticipating this fabulous party tradition. Here is Princess Leia's head mummified and baking in the oven. Han Solo was frozen in carbonate so we baked Leia in the oven!!! We found instructions, 50 years of experience, and phenomenal inspiration at http://www.ultimatepapermache.com

Final product included happy kids, pleased parents, and a great afternoon pre-party activity.

Birthday Grace

Sunday evening I set the table for birthday breakfast and put out a few decorations. First thing Monday morning Edwin and I heard Grace and Anne running around looking at everything.

Grace: Balloons! Look Anne, that says "Happy Birthday!" It's my birthday!

Anne: Where Princess Leia Cake? There no Princess Leia Cake anywhere.

Soon the girls were jumping on me and Edwin with delight as we pretended we would rather be sleeping. The first thing Grace asked us was, "When do I turn four?" Edwin told her she was already four and then she delightedly screeched "I'm four! I'm four!"

We took family photos with a friend that morning (hopefully we get copies soon). Then we had the neighbors over to break the pinata!

Grace was the birthday girl and took the first swings at Princess Leia.

Anne gave it a try too.

When all the kids were sadly unsuccessful it was mom's turn. (I was afraid Edwin was going to capture me striking out, but thankfully I made contact.)

Grace and Anne were super excited about storm troopers and an Emperial Walker on the Ice Planet Hoth cake!

We topped the evening off with LEGOS!! What more can a girl want!

All in all it was a great day! Thanks for the presents, phone calls, and love!

Happy birthday beautiful Grace.

Baby Blessing

We blessed James this Sunday, and it was a wonderful event. Edwin performed the blessing with our home teacher, Troy, and two members from the bishopric standing in with them. Our neighbors attended church with their two children so it made for a lively front row. We are grateful for the friendships we are building here and the opportunity to participate in missionary work. James is seven weeks old and he is HUGE! I call him "Giant Baby" when we are at church around all those little babies born around the same time. He is starting to smile and laugh and we are enjoying his fine company.

Anne and Grace were happy to wear their new winter/Christmas dresses sewn by Grandma Peggy. What a beautiful group of children if I do say so myself.

We love you and miss you all. Wish we could be with you during all our great events, but all in due time.

From children but not FOR CHILDREN!!!

Sunday afternoon we finished lunch and Edwin was making some frosting for our leftover sugar cookies. Then came an unforgettable Gracism! Grace: I don't really like the cookie part, but frosting................is delicious. Edwin (snickering from the kitchen): Butt frosting. Grace: (pondering for a moment) Poop is icky butt frosting. Thankfully Edwin had to explain why he and Grace needed to apologize for their dinner comments because I was doubled over in laughter hiding under the table!! Changing diapers is finally humorous!